BG engine cleaning Products, and my bad mileage

Danwec · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-07, 06:20 PM

I just bought a BG chemicals fuel system kit, consisting of 44K gas tank additive, induction system cleaner, and air intake system cleaner. It's supposed to be the best stuff out there.
The servicing is done by a shop, but you can easily do it yourself.
I dumped the 44K into my tank with 50 litres of fuel. Drove about 50 kms through it. (To soften carbon up) Then I popped off the intake and sprayed (with a spray bottle) all the induction system cleaner through with the engine running. Let it sit, then went for a quick, very aggressive drive (fogged out the whole neighbourhood!! ...oops) then sprayed all the intake cleaner through as well.
I checked my FPR and it's not leaking at all. So hopefully this cleaning will help, I'll inform more once all the 44k runs through and I observe my mileage.
It's currently 9.5-10 in the city, 23 on the highway. Booo...
That's with new plugs and wires as well.
I do have an intermittent cam sensor code that came and went, but now it's on all the time. I didn't notice any difference in mileage with that code on or off though. It's awkward to get too, but the pigtail "seems" fine. No obvious cracks. I think it's the sensor itself.

danbuc · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-07, 12:16 PM

We started using that 44k crap at work. I've got like 6 cans of it sitting in my garage. Tried a few, didn't do much. The Land Rover shop next to me (I work in the Mercedes half of my shop) stopped using it because it was basically a waste of money. I have yet to see it do anything beneficial to a Mercedes engine as of yet, but who knows. The intake system cleaner will probably do a hell of a lot more though, since it's not passing through the entire fuel system. Good luck, hope you get it straightened out.

smagnotta · #3 (**permalink**) 03-11-07, 09:34 AM

Sears has an aggressive cleaning system they perform for $70. I know Walmart has one for only $20. Monroe and Midas also do the fuel system cleanup for around $70. You need to be careful because a lot of the gas tank additives are nothing more than high octane gasoline so you waste your money. An auto parts store manager told me they are all wastes of money - except for a few brands like RedLine and Lucas.

I tried the Sears cleaning system and afterward it did clear up the smoke I used to see when I started the car and when I place the car into gear and take off in the morning.

The gas mileage with these cars (and any car) will drop in the winter. I am seeing an average of 17.5 MPG with my car in the coldest part of winter (average temperature this year was 19 degrees). In the spring, summer and fall I see close to 22 MPG average.

FTT843 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-07, 09:59 PM

Lucas is by FAR the best I have used.

clarkz71 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTT843

Lucas is by FAR the best I have used.

I agree.

Danwec · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 06:14 PM

Results- About 1mpg increase so far, and definately smoother starting up (not that it was bad before, but I notice it catches now after just a touch of the key, instead of a second of cranking)
Not sure if it was worth the 70 bucks for all the chemicals, but at least I know I tried it... now moving onto checking the EGR system.

The only thing that annoys me is that my emmision test results 2 months ago were almost unreadable they were so low. Oh well. Maybe it's just my driving habits- even though I'm not aggressive.

9BlackN*Black6 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTT843

Lucas is by FAR the best I have used.

I third that!

Both oil and fuel additive. It's expensive but its the best!
I have an older Mazda 626 w/ almost 300k, when I first got it(240k) was puffin' blue smoke bad, burning about 2-3 quarts in between changes, added 1 quart of lucas my first oil change. When I started it to check oil level after change it smoked the shop out, so i backed out it smoked bad for like 10 mins, check engine light came on. After that 10 min smoke section it cleared up and now only burns about 1/2 quart to a quart between changes.

Just did my fuel pump on my 96 eldo, only had about 1 gal in tank when i did it. I had a little grease on my fingers and spilled a little Lucas Fuel Treatment on my hands, it cleaned the grease off like waterless handcleaner! I only buy it buy the gallon so I put probably 1 quart in tank, I was also trying to "prime" the pump, I poured it right into cavity on top of the pump.

Just did my first oil change this weekend on the eldo, soon as she burn a quart Im gonna top off w/ Lucas and see how the N* likes it!

Danwec · #8 (**permalink**) 03-13-07, 08:37 PM

3rd day... gone through 50kms on the tank after cleaning. Mileage is up to 13+ and climbing, and that was driving it a little bit spanky on this nice sunny day!
So, gained over 3mpg so far, this might be have been worth it after all.
I also reset the computer and reset the TPS range, probably should have done that when I put in the K&N and first noticed the big loss of mileage.
I'll let ya know what my final mileage # is, if it keeps climbing or stays the same.

Danwec · #9 (**permalink**) 03-14-07, 04:48 PM

Well, day 4. It is warmer out, so that could account for some of the increase, but my fuel mileage since I used this treatment has SKYROCKETED to a recorded average at the end of the day of 16.5. (I reset the average this morning) That's doing the identical driving, identical amount, and identical path that I've taken 3 times a day for the last 3 months getting 9.5-10 mpg. And no doubt that it starts up with much less cranking (Just a touch of the key really)

I've added 7 mpg. What an incredible result. I have never seen mileage even remotely this high since I got the car (11 initially, 10 after the K&N) I guess my problem was a dirty intake/MAF and fuel injectors/valves. I still have a half tank left of the in-tank cleaner to go through as well. It may climb a little more yet. It's likely the computer reset and TPS ranging played a part since I have the aftermarket filter. I also could have oiled up the MAF sensor when I cleaned/oiled the filter on initial installation!

The 70 bucks I paid for the treatment chemicals (180 to have it done in a shop) is equal to 1 tank of gas (right now at 1.20/L for premium) . I'll save that before the month is over. If you are suffering with mpg below average, I'd HIGHLY recommend this full treatment! I'll be saving over $100 a month in gas now.
A word of warning- don't get ANY of the induction system cleaner on your skin. It'll burn and blister in seconds. Crazy stuff.